Welcome to my Yellowstone page, a hub for my Yellowstone photos and pictures, videos, and other useful Yellowstone information and links.  Hopefully the information and recommendations will help you plan your own trip to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of my favorite places for wildlife adventures.  If you’d like to join me on a Yellowstone photo tour, please click here.

I was back in the park to lead two winter photo tours in January of 2022. Once again, these proved to be fruitful and fun adventures, as I was joined by two terrific groups of clients. The photos from this visit are finally up in the archive.

Both trips had some nice wildlife highlights. The first group was blessed with a memorable close wolf encounter, and we had marten sightings during both tours. The second tour was highlighted by some really fantastic “bisonscape” photo ops.

If you missed the trip reports from these adventures, you can check them out in the blog. You can also the full photo Yellowstone Winter 2022 gallery in the photo archive.

If you’re interested in joining me on a future Yellowstone adventure, I have both winter and spring tours lined up for 2023. Please visit my tours and workshops page.

I’m slowly adding images to the archive. Some Yellowstone galleries are already up. View the photos in the Yellowstone & Grand Tetons collection here.

Shop for Yellowstone-related gift items in the store.

Current items include:

• Yellowstone-themed Calendars
• Yellowstone Wildlife Map and Guide

Visit the MaxWaugh.com store.

Below is a packing list I put together for one of our Yellowstone road trips many years ago. This was intended to give the first-timers coming with us an idea of what they might need to bring on a road trip to Yellowstone.

Things to keep in mind: this list is catered to a group of people who intend to “car camp” in one of Yellowstone’s many official camp sites during the summer. The items on this list may not all apply to your group, vehicle, time of travel or camping/lodging situation. It is intended as a general reference and a good basis for a packing list.

Please remember that Yellowstone is Bear Country!  It’s important to keep your campsite clean at all times, to dispose of food and trash in designated, bear-proof containers and to lock items in your car at night.  Do not leave any food or other scented items (including toiletries) in your tent, as that will attract bears.  Help keep Yellowstone safe for both visitors and animals!

Group Needs:

• Two-Burner Propane stove
• Propane canisters for stove
• Pots
• Pans
• Disposable Paper Plates
• Disposable Paper Bowls
• Plastic flatware
• Set of silverware (emergency)
• Wooden spoon
• Paper towels
• Sanitary wipes
• Hot dog skewers
• Medium-large cooler
• Tupperware container (keeps items dry in cooler)
• Plastic grocery bags (for garbage)
• Gallon and sandwich ziploc bags
• Sponge + dish soap
• First Aid Kit, moleskin
• Tarps (extra rain cover)
• Rope, in case tarp needs to be hung
• Folding Camping Chairs
• Hatchet

Individual Needs:

• Your favorite Mug
• Water bottle (for hikes)
• Sleeping Bag
• Air mattress
• Flashlight
• Bug repellant
• Sun screen
• Hat (for sun)
• Hat (for cold)
• Gloves
• Rain jacket
• Sweatshirt/fleece
• Shorts/pants
• Thick/Warm socks
• X trainer/hiking shoes or boots
• Sandals/flip flops (shower)
• Toiletries, including soap/shampoo
• Towel (though these can be “rented” at certain public showers)
• Swimsuit (you never know)
• Binoculars
• Camera gear!
• Sunglasses
• Bear spray
• Small Backpack (for hikes)

I am a licensed guide and tour operator in Yellowstone National Park. Here’s a list of my upcoming photo tours, in case you are interested in joining me on a future adventure.

• Yellowstone Winter Tours: January 2023
• Yellowstone Spring Wildlife Tour: June 3 – 9, 2023

I am also available for private and customized tours.

Visit my Workshops and Tours page for more information.

Here is a list of photo equipment and accessories that I recommend for wildlife photography in Yellowstone. Due to the wide open spaces and wildlife distance regulations, long lenses are recommended. I typically recommend a minimum of 300mm, but even 500-600mm may leave you wanting on occasion. For bodies, something with better high ISO handling is a good idea simply because foul weather and darker conditions are common in the park.

Canon

• Canon R3, R5, R6
• Canon 1DX Mark III
• Canon 5D Mark IV
• Canon 500 or 600mm f/4 IS
• Canon 200-400mm f/4 IS
• Canon 100-500mm, 100-400mm or 70-200mm
• Canon 24-70mm 2.8 or wider
• Canon 1.4x teleconverter

Nikon

• Nikon Z9
• Nikon D5 or D850
• Nikon D500
• Nikkor 500mm or 600mm f/4 VR
• Nikkor 200-400mm VR
• Nikkor 70-200mm VR
• Nikkor 24-70mm 2.8 or wider
• Nikon 1.4x teleconverter

Additional Recommendations

• Induro CT314 tripod
• Traditional Gimbal Head or Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead w/Wimberley Sidekick
• Nexto DI 500GB Storage Device

Also in the Bag

• Polarizer
• 50+ GB worth of memory cards
• Pixel Pocket Rocket
• 4-6 camera batteries
• Wonpro powerbar and cord
• Lens cloth, pen brush
• Rain covers
• Sensor cleaning kit or vinyl makeup brushes

Bags:

For trips to Yellowstone, your bag choice may depend on how you’re getting to the park. If driving, you have room for a larger roller bag or backpack, such as the excellent bags made by ThinkTank Photo. If you’re flying, you may be forced to take smaller planes (even “commuter jets”), in which case more compact photo packs may be more appropriate. Those made by ThinkTank and MindShift Gear may fit the bill.

When hiking, I prefer to carry my photo gear in pouches rather than a large photo pack, so that lenses and equipment are within reach. Think Tank’s Skin System works for me.

• Skin Belt
• Pixel Racing Harness
• Skin Double Wide
• Skin Chimp Cage
• Skin 50
• Skin Strobe
• Two RU Thirsty pouches

Purchase a Think Tank pouch system or other items over $50 using the links above and get a free gift (usually a pretty nice accessory).  Thanks for your support!